This is such a fun premise and I think teens will really like it! It wasn't my favorite book, but I can definitely say I've never read anything quite like this before, especially geared towards teens. A solid pick for teens!

3.5, rounded to 4

I was intrigued by the premise of this book, considering I've long been a fan of The Truman Show and was intrigued by the possibility of a) a female protagonist, and b) the opportunities that setting the fictional show out of contemporary time would bring in terms of conflict. While I found the plot interesting, I felt that the conflict resolution was too swift. I'm aware of the sequel, but I'm not sure what the sequel would bring in terms of these characters and their dynamics. However, the 90s nostalgia was great, and this is a nice "baby's first thriller" for the Black Mirror set.

This was just okay to me. It just did not keep my interest much. I liked the jest of the story but I was not invested in the characters

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

This Is Not the Jess Show is a fun, quick read. It’s The Truman Show for those with a hankering for some nineties nostalgia.

This one was not for me.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jess is just your average 90's girl. Her sister's illness is overshadowing everything, but at least she has friends to make her feel better. Except... nothing in her life is real.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest, I'd completely forgotten about the book description by the time I started to read the book, so I thought it was a YA story set in the 90s.
The first third of the book was well-written, and chock full of 90s nostalgia. Jess is easy to relate to, she's not one of the popular kids, but tends to get along with everyone.
She has a tense, barely-there relationship with her parents, and the only person in the family she connects with is her dying sister.

I'm not sure if this next bit is a spoiler, as it's stated pretty clearly stated in the book's description.
It turns out that Jess' whole life is a lie. After she starts to notice some inconsistencies, her best friend/major crush Tyler finally breaks and tells her everything. Full-on Truman Show.

Jess gains an unlikely ally in Patrick Kramer, the handsome, popular guy who has an annoying habit of only talking about the same story.

I really liked how the story went. It seemed to be setting up for one person to step up and be the romantic interest and help Jess uncover the truth; but then Kipps comes along.

Having gone to school in the 90s, I recognised a lot of the shows and music that makes up Jess' life, and I loved the authentic feel.
It was interesting (and made me feel very old) to watch Jess have to deal with the sharp difference in technology between the 90s and her current time.

The story is pleasant enough, but I got to the end with a feeling of 'huh, is that it?'
I felt like it had the potential be much more dramatic, that there was a bigger and more damaged world to explore and fights to be had.
The happy ending was rushed along, and I was surprised to find this is part of a series, because it felt like it had come to a natural conclusion. Everything had been wrapped up and I didn't expect the story to continue.

I would be interested in seeing what happens next.

Thank you to netgalley for providing an e-galley for review. This is not the Jess Show reminded me of The Truman Show meets Running Out of Time. This was so good. I couldn't stop reading it and have recommended it to many friends. The 90's setting is so nostalgic and then the twist in the middle. There are a few questions but I'm going to chalk that up to willing suspension of disbelief. Can't wait to read the next one.

"I had to remind myself no-one had orchestrated it, that there was no-one behind a monitor somewhere waiting for Kipps to deliver a line that had been written for him. This was my life, as I wanted it to be. Kipps and I had created this." There is something so jarring about this in the best way. I think that there is a lot to consider to the psyche of stars or even people that are essentially seen as puppets in Hollywood so there is this coming to terms and trusting reality that I think is a super interesting concept. Overall I thought that this book was really smart in terms of not only its plot but how it was executed as well.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Reminded me of The Truman Show. Not as twisty as I was hoping. Looking forward to the sequel.

This was an easy read but not as twisty as I thought it was going to be. The entire story is pretty much in the blurb (especially if you've seen The Truman Show). I liked the 90s refs but the story lacked a little for me

A 90s teen novel that is not what it first seems...

I loved the start of this book, and how things fell apart slowly, but then I found the "real world" stuff a bit weirdly rushed and not as gripping. I found the 90s setting really cool and liked how it felt like a "cliched" teen novel at first. The premise will definitely appeal to people who like YA dystopia, and twisty novels with strong female protagonists. I am reading the sequel as I write this review and I look forward to seeing how it all turns out.

Thank you to the publisher for the chance to review this book.

Enjoyed the concept and really liked Jess. Looking forward to the next book. (And would make a fun movie!)

This is Not the Jess Show is like The Truman Show if it was set in the 1990s and was following a teenage girl named Jess. If you enjoyed that movie, indulge in reality TV or even enjoy critiquing “reality TV”, or simply desire a compelling YA with superbly drawn characters and a fun story that allows you to relive the 90s, then be sure to read it. It addresses the pitfalls of reality television and how our society is often consumed by its storylines. Jess is a great protagonist to follow- looking forward to the sequel- I think I got a sneak peek at the end, cliffhanger… 4/5 stars

I'm really not sure what to make of this book. It's definitely strange and out there with a somewhat unique plot. While it is similar to The Truman Show, I felt that it tried to differentiate itself and become its own unique book.

It shared quite slowly for me but it turned out to be exactly what I wanted and needed it to be, Jess is a high school in a small town in New York in 1998, falling for her childhood friend, struggling to cope with her sister illness while trying to be a normal teen and enjoying spending time with her best friend. But when she discovers an IPhone, which hasn't been invented yet (for another 9 years) and more strange things start to happen, what was she going to do?

I really enjoyed it once I got into it, it was filled with strong characters and such great twists and turns along the way!

The Truman Show meet Jess!

This is Not the Jess Show has been on my radar for a very long time. I finally got the chance to pick up this young adult mystery thanks to Quirk Books.

I enjoyed this book so much! I found that reading it was very similar to watching an episode of Black Mirror with a young adult twist that feels very Riverdale. What really sold me is that It is extremely similar to one of my favorite movies of all time which was mentioned in an earlier version of the synopsis of “This is Not the Jess Show” which was the original reason this book piqued my interests. (IFYKYK)

This book is addicting in a sense that it reads very similar to watching a movie. The plot is so creative. It’s science-fiction with a dystopian future that I always find myself easily entranced in. It’s a novel that can easily be read in one sitting and leave you wanting more.

It not only has an intriguing look into the future but it brings heavy nostalgia to us 90’s kids with references to the first release of the Harry Potter books, Jesse from Full House and music by Alanis Morisette. It’s sprinkled with nineties fairy dust that brought me back to my childhood.

I truly loved this book, it’s everything that I love in a twisty science-fiction book yet it was a little too fast-paced. I felt that the mystery behind Jess’s world was a little too easy and revealed way too quickly. I wanted there to be more puzzles and more shocking reveals but it was very rushed.

There is nothing like a plot that will make you question the nature of reality and our future. This is that book.

Thank you Anna Carey and Quirk books for the copy of “This is Not the Jess Show” (Available Now) and the sequel “This is Not the Real World.” Jess and Kipp’s adventures continue on May 24th. Pre-order your copy today because once you finish it, you’re greedy little heart is going to need more.

*insert me starting the sequel here*

Quirky, gripping and quite unlike anything else. This book is a wild ride that'd appeal to a variety of readers

I absolutely devoured this book! Fun, exciting and dramatic, this high-octane thriller is sure to entertain. Takes the Truman Show and updates it for a new generation. I haven't read the sequel yet although I have a copy of that too, possibly because I wonder how it could possibly be as good, as a big part of this book was watching Jess slowly realise that her life has been a lie.

The 90s references were really fun, and it covers some difficult subjects without being an issues-led book which I'm finding a lot of my young people enjoy reading.

Thanks to the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book. A solid three stars from me. However, I think the first half of the book where Jess was slowly realising her whole life wasn't real was far more interesting than after she realised. I wish that was a bit longer